Hmmm I don't give out that much info online. It allows for people to SPAM posters.

But there is another Gastrointestinal Weight Loss Surgery and they are doing trials NOW. It has had good success in the trials in other countries.

Stanford is one of the Universities, Hospitals that is doing the trials so I will include their link....

http://www.stanfordhospital.com/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/generalSurgery/bariatricsurgery/vblock

Oh yeah its called VBLOC

1.Name: Andrea

2. City and state: NY

3. Are you: Considering Surgery, Pre Op or Post Op POST - OP

4. Date of WLS (weight loss surgery): 2/4/2008

5. Surgeon's name: Taeson Moon, Arnot Ogden

6. Type of Surgery: Lap RNY

7. Highest Pre-surgery weight: 303

8. Insurance or self-pay: Insurance

9. Birthdate or age: 40

10. Occupation: Marketing

11. Hobbies: breeding dogs, all types of crafts, hanging out with my kids

I'd like to add that I have lost about 60 lbs so far and am enjoying the journey. I plan to lose another 100lbs. My ideal weight is around 140. I am 5'9" tall. Would really like to hear from others who are going through this.

That is quite interesting -- an non-invasive! I will share this with my yahoo group. There are quite a few folks who didn't qualify, heart-wise, for the gastric bypass. Maybe this would be an option. Thanks!

Mardy, Montana, still thinking of the surgery,

Have you talked with a surgeon about it yet? It's quite a process -- and even if you ultimately decide not to go through with it, you would probably glean a lot of good info about weight loss. Diets just don't work for some people because of the way the body chemistry changes with years of repeated dieting.

My insurance required 6 months of doctor-monitored dieting, several nutritional therapist group meetings, 6 visits with a psychologist and many many tests, including a heart function test, an endoscopy (ugh!) and several blood tests. I had to lose 20 lbs before the surgery itself to prove I was committed. Altogether, it took about a year from my first inquiry before i had a surgery date.

The actual surgery itself was terrifying. I had to walk from my stretcher to the operating table. This was such a moment of complete understanding that I was doing this voluntarily and nothing would be the same again. I don't believe I was ever more "in the moment" than that!

Not that it wasn't the best decision I have ever made. I don't mean it that way. I have my life back. I eat like a normal person--the food I eat gives nourishment and satisfaction. I enjoy life and have the energy to exercise.

There are several books out there that are helpful -- I like the one in the Complete Idiot series best, actually. I found most books about gastric bypass are really just the Complete Idiot book in different covers. It's an easy read and you'll get a good idea what is required as far as pre-op and post op.